Most sellers who hire a professional home stager for a marketing consultation don't have prior experience with staging.
They usually expect the home stager to walk through the house, creating a list of improvements to be made in order to make their house more appealing to buyers.
What the sellers usually don't expect is for the consultation to get physical.
Warning: Your Home Staging Consultation Could Get Physical!
This is when the real fun begins - when furniture gets moved and pictures come off the walls and accessories are traded from one room to another.
For those who aren't expecting it and have never experienced it before, it can be a real surprise.
Here is an example of a recent consultation that got physical:
The king size bed doesn't leave much room for both dressers. The larger dresser and mirror were moved to another bedroom down the hall. The smaller dresser was then moved from behind the door, allowing the door to now open all the way.
The nightstands and lamps were too small so they were replaced with items found from other rooms.
This three hour consultation resulted in a to-do list for the entire house and two transformed bedrooms.
Once the seller completes their "homework" and I return for the final staging, I will update with more photos.
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Professional Home Staging services for the New Hampshire Seacoast
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603.661.8524
it is amazing to see how such little changes make such a big difference! the "after" is definitely more inviting!!
Sharon- good changes that make the most out of a challenging space!! The larger nightstands and lamps made a huge difference.
I've started to get physical on some of my consults too Sharon. Sometimes they need to see exactly what we're talking about to "get" it!
Been there done that! Always have a change of clothes-LOL
Pierre: It really didn't take much, and the seller felt like she had a new bedroom!
Kathy: I made the major changes on the spot, but would still like to play with the bed a little and add a few more touches before it's final photos.
Karen: Actually creating a transformation does wonders for their appreciation of the value of staging!
Debra: I can't say I've had to change my clothes yet...I guess I dust off well!
Just love your before and after shots - what a difference!
LOVE it!! I always have my furniture "sliders" with my in case in need to move it around...and "get physical"!!! THANKS!!!
Sharon, LOL! Yes it's true. I often go to my consultations wearing nice client-clothes only to realize that this one is going to get physical! :)
Somewhere I heard "tell 'em what you're going to do, do it and then tell 'em what you dd". It sounds like that's exactly what is working for you.
Best wishes for a terrific 2010!
Sharon-It is amazing how something so simple and small can make such a BIG difference. <SMILE>
Love the title, Sharon! I must do a scaled back version of your consultation, because I spend up to 2 hours in the home. But if we have time, I bring out the sliders and move furniture, too. What a difference your simple changes made!
Lee & Carol: Thank you!
Kathy: It's always best to be prepared!
Annie: I'm usually disappointed if it doesn't get physical!
Chris: So true! Just telling them what to do is not enough to really get the job done.
Sharon: So often they are surprised at how much better it can look. They don't realize that it isn't ok as it is because they have gotten so used to it that way.
Cathy: My consultations are "up to two hours" at a flat fee. If I go over the two hours I bill hourly. This consultation went over an hour.
I'm amazed at what you accomplished in two hours. The room looks entirely different and we know the rest of the house will be great.
Virginia: Thank you! The homeowner is very happy with her "new bedroom" and I'm really looking forward to getting to work on the rest of the house.
Great post and great job Sharon. I usually give a little warning before I start and I carry my furniture sliders everywhere:) It's great to see on the spot changes and they really take not much time at all.
Ana
Ana: I do usually tell them what to expect, but they tend to be surprised anyways! Those furniture sliders always impress sellers! I'm surprised how many people aren't aware they exist.
Sharon, I find it helps to make a change in the house so the seller sees the difference. Sometimes they are so eager they want to move things around as we go. I've actually had to ask them to stop and wait till I leave so that the consult doesn't go on too long ;).
Janice: They do need to see the difference in order to fully appreciate that we know what we are talking about. I do tend to get over invested, though. Sometimes I have to force myself to leave, otherwise I would stay all night and organize all the cabinets and closets!
Hi, Sharon. What a good "eye" you have! The bedroom looks so much better balanced with the bigger pieces, with cleaner lines and a much more elegant and dramatic look.
I'd say this seller got her money's worth. IF ONLY you were in Jamestown, Tennessee....LOL!!!
Leslie: Thank you. If I keep reading all your posts about beautiful Jamestown, I just might be convinced to relocate!